Everyone has a blog. I mean everyone. The great thing about blogs is that there is not just one universal use. People use them to stay in touch with family and friends. Businesses use them to keep their customers in the loop or expand their business. Everywhere you look there is a blog. Let’s face it. Blogs have had more of an impact on Internet users than anything to hit the web.
So what do you use your blog for? I use mine to vent, generate content, report my take on the news, give opinions and past experiences and sometimes I even try to be informational and teach a thing or two.
As I have read through businesses or individuals blogs I have come to the conclusion that there is a common mistake among a lot of blogs out there. And that is the sometimes we don’t really recognize the potential that our blog has if we continue to update content and give our readers the incentive to stay and enjoy what we have to say.
So how do we make the most out of our blog? What can we do to take our blogs to the next level? Here are some ideas that you can implement in your own blog that will make give you the upper hand among the other millions of blogs out there.
- Create a unique design.
This is number one on the list because I know that once I land on someone’s blog and it doesn’t jump out at me, the content probably won’t either. If you don’t have the eye for design, there are plenty of blog designers that you can use. Or you can do what I did and get a template that was professionally designed. One that allows you to customize to your liking.
- Connect with your reader with interesting content.
This is what really turns a visitor into a reader or subscriber. Create posts that will get the reader emotionally connected. This is just as important as your ad-copy on a website. You need to draw them in to get the conversion. On a blog, a conversion could mean a click on an affiliate ad or a follow on your RSS. You have to be consistent in the quality because it takes one bad post and your list could shrink pretty quickly.
- Give your readers an incentive to stay.
Whether you have a guest post option, free down-loadable information or maybe discounts or coupons to sites within your niche. It is important to know who you are writing to so you can supply them with additives that they will benefit from.
- Be consistent with your posts.
Readers like some consistency. When I subscribe to a someone’s RSS, I like to look at their history to see how many posts have been made within the last month or so. People subscribe to your blog for a reason. They like your information. If you are not giving that to them, they will unsubscribe pretty quick.
- Use pictures to mix things up.
I have read through a few posts lately that really emphasize the use of pictures. Not only to kind of break things up but to add to the story or the post. Take a look at Michael Gray’s blog. He includes a large image before every post. That way, you can get a visual of what the post is about before you actually read the information. You will have the image in your head while you are reading and for me, everything kind of comes together a little easier.
- Respond to comments.
When a reader makes a comment on your blog you need to respond back to them. Even something as simple as “Hey Tom, great point. Thanks for the comment!” will go a long way with your readers. Let them know that you value their feedback and that it is always invited.
Those are some of the main points I have been focusing on lately with my blog and I will continue to do what I can to make improvements.
Are there any suggestions you have for changes or improvements you have made to your blog and have seen an increase in subscribers or interest?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Article. Thanks.
Hey John. Thanks for the comment and thanks for stopping by!
Hey there nice Post keep it up….
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